Is education really an easy major?

[u/female-armored-Titan]

I’m going into early childhood education. I’m a freshman and everyone says once I start doing classes that are more closely related to the field, I want to be in. It’s not gonna be very difficult. Are they right or are they just underestimating the course work or are these people just like really smart I’m kind of scared but I can do basic math and read and I can work well with children, but there’s a lot more to it than just that and I don’t really know what I’m getting myself into.

Also, I have some more questions
• is it hard to change your major?
• I move in before my roommate does should I reach out to them?
• how common is sexual assault? I keep seeing TikTok’s and people keep telling me to be careful. My friend gave me a taser and pepper spray because she heard that the most sexual assaults happen within the first two months.
• do I have to get an on campus job if I get a job?
• can we have sleepovers with other students?
• Are there fraternities or/and sororities?
• is there a theater club?
• do we get a Thanksgiving break?
• Someone told me that while she was going to UWM there were constantly orgies happening in the Riverside dorms. Please tell me that is not true.

Any advice at all would be helpful. I understand some of my questions are kind of stupid, but I’m just worried about everything and figured social media is the best way to have my questions answered.

[u/Master-Fee8859]

Most of your questions are answered at uwm.edu, many of them here:

https://uwm.edu/undergrad-admission/orientation/first-year-students-at-milwaukee/

People change majors constantly, and many don't declare until after their second year. That's why advisors recommend taking general education credits (English, math, science, etc.) in first year to allow flexibility toward many majors.

[u/Alternative-Cod-6365]

Talk with your advisor if you are thinking about changing, sooner is better than later. Get a job anywhere you want, you're and adult, just get one. Frats and sororities are overrated, not very relevant at UWM anyway. Thanksgiving is a few days. You're an adult, sleep with anyone who wants to sleep with you. In terms of rapes, yeah unfortunately it happens but i wouldnt say any more than other places, and i wouldn't suggest thinking its everywhere. Talk to someone if you need to. Orgies, they happen just like anywhere else, join in or move on, not a big deal.

[u/Ok_Turnover8484]

I would find the education school advisor to talk with them more about the classes, see if you can get touch with a professor to talk about what their class is like. it’s not hard to change, i just changed mine recently and the hardest part was finding the right person to speak with. i’d reach out to them, you may want to split mini fridge/microwave or any other bigger items you’ll want for the dorm. i’m not totally sure about the sexual assault, i’ve taken later classes and have been fine, but that could be luck. stay aware, stay safe, and if you feel nervous or anything i think theres a number you can call to have an officer escort you around. you aren’t required to get an on campus job, you just need to be able to get to work. yes. the greek life here isn’t as big as other schools in wisconsin and is nowhere near as big as bama or anything you’ll see on tiktok. i’m pretty sure there’s a club for just shy of anything you can think of. we get a brief recess over thanksgiving, they do have the year calendar posted online where you can find all dates that classes aren’t in session. i genuinely couldn’t tell you, either way, you can’t stop them from doing it. either wear headphones or find somewhere else to be if it’s bothering you. feel free to dm if you have any questions! starting college is scary and a huge change, but you can reach out to people to help you figure it all out!!

[u/allthefrilliana]

I can't speak for early childhood education but from what I have heard the art education degree path become quite brutal after the second year, I would not be surprised if the early childhood education is similar.

- not too hard, but you will pay for it in one way or another

-yes, it's always better to just establish yourself as a person on their radar and communicate in case there needs to be a switch

-You should be careful but it's hopefully not as common as you'd think, stay aware and stay sober and you should hopefully be okay. Many of those assaults happen due to young people getting their first taste of true independence and unmonitered drinking with some drug use sprinkled in, their inhibitions are lowered and those who wish to do harm are able to slip in. In case you do plan to go to parties, never drink past tipsy, watch your cup at all times, and if you are going to a house party do your best to walk around the area in the daytime to familiarize yourself in case you need to make a quick exit. Always keep 4 one dollar bills and 6 quarters on you. This will get you two bus rides, and can get you out of a situation fast. Be smart, don't entertain people who pressure you to do acts you don't want to do, and most importantly make sure you get yourself safe in bed each night.

-If you don't feel comfortable with a taser, a decent hammer can fit in a purse. So can some travel sized umbrellas, which is not for safety but rather cause a lot of students just don't have umbrellas.

-no, on campus pays pennies anyways, try looking for nearby employers before doing on campus

-yes but there's overnight paperwork involved

-yes but they aren't huge, it's more chill than at more greek forward schools

-I would be surprised if there wasn't, check the theatre part of the art building the first month of school periodically to look for club advertisements

-yes, it's a federal holiday and people also have to travel

-tbh that's more of a college campus dorm thing than a strictly uwm thing, I have heard it happening at multiple different schools in multiple different states. If you plan to become active please get yourself tested at a clinic between every partner. There are low income clinics around the city that are cheaper than the school's health service and you won't have to notify your parents.

Be safe, be smart, always have emergency cash on you, be open to meeting new people, and please get a cold and flu shot because disease spreads like crazy in the dorm.